Horseshoe



(No Model.)

L. B. LINN.

HORSEsHOB.

Patented June 3, 1890.

FmIHHEMLHLWM 1 HUI-Ill HUI - be hereinafter apparent.

Q UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE.

LEWIS B. LINN, OF eANeEs, MICHIGAN.

HORSESHOE.

SPECIFICATION forming part of Letters Patent 'No. 429,460, dated June 3, 1890.

Application filed March 20, 1890- Serialllo. 344,605. (No model.)

The object of theinvention is to absorb the jar or concussion caused-by the contact of the hoof with the roadway, thereby relieving said hoof and avoiding the inj urious elfects well known to horsemen, and some of which are above stated.

With the above general objects in view the invention consists in certain features of construction hereinafter specified, and particularly pointed out in the claims.

Referring to the drawing, Figure l is a perspective of a horseshoe constructed in accordance with my invention. Fig. 2 is a longitudinal section. Fig. 3 is a transverse section. Fig. 4 is a bottom plan of the upper shoe-section. Fig. 5 is a bottom plan of the lower shoe-section.

Like numerals of reference indicate like parts in all the figures of the drawings.

In practicing my invention I form the shoe of two sections-namely, the upper section 1 and the lower section 2, each of which is a counterpart of the other. The upper section is formed preferably of caststeel, and is adapted to be secured to the horses hoof in the ordinary manner, for which purpose I provide at opposite sides nail-receiving openings 3. The under surface'of the section 1 is also provided with a superficial space or bearing block 4, welded to the under side of said shoe; or, if the shoe be formed of caststeel, the same is castintegral therewith. The

block 4 is narrow, so as to permit of the for- I mation of the nail-receiving openings 3 at one side thereof, and at its ends is laterally extended, as at 5, to the outer edge of the shoesection, thereby affording a sufficientlybroad bearing for the under section of the shoe, as will The lower section 2 of the shoe is of steel, and, as before stated, is of exactly the same contour in plan as the upper section, and bears along the entire surface of the space-block 4 of said upper section, to which it is secured by means of opposite bolts or screws 6, inserted through boltopenings 7, formed in said lower section and opposite similar openings 8, formed in each of the bearing-blocks '4. By means of the screws 7 the lower section is removably secured in position upon the under section, the upper ends of the screws or bolts being 'fiush with the upper surface of said'upper section. By reason of the lower section only having contact with the upper section at the points where the space-blocks 4: are located it will.

be apparent that the lower steel section will be permitted to have a vibratory or springlike motion at both the heel and toe of the shoe, whereby the concussion and jar caused by contact of the hoof with hard roads or pavements is absorbed, and not transmitted to the hoof and joints of the leg to injure the same.

The opposite terminals or heels of the shoe are provided with L-shaped calks 9, the L portions of the calks having openings through which are inserted upwardly-disposed rivets 11, headed upon their upper ends and over the upper surface of the lower section. WVhen these calks become worn, it will be apparent that the rivets may be punched from their openings and new calks substituted.

12 represents a toe-calk, also of L shape in cross-section, the upper L portion being perforated for the passage of a rivet 14:.

Both the toe-calks and the heel-calks are provided with opposite pins or studs 15, which projectintocorrespondingopenings16,formed in the under surface of the lower spring-section, so that by the use of the single rivet the calks may be secured rigidly in position and are prevented from any lateral displacement or pivotal movement, as will be understood.

The ad vantages of the ,above invention cannot fail to be apparent to those conversant with the care of horses who have had the joints of their animals stove up by travel upon the hard modern pavement. The springlike action of the lower section, it will be apparent, greatly relieves the hoof, and in no way aifects the movement of the animal or impedes or interferes with his regular gait.

Having thus described my invention, what I claim is 1. In a horseshoe, the combination, with an upper section adapted to be secured to the horses hoof and provided upon its under surface and at opposite sides with superficial bearing-blocks extending for a short distance along said sides, of a lower spring-section, bolts passed through said section, the bearingblocks, and the upper section, and leaving the opposite ends of said lower spring-section free to vibrate, substantially as specified.

2. In a horseshoe, the combination, with an upper section adapted to be secured to the hoof of a horse and provided at opposite sides upon its under surface with superficial spaceblocks, each of which is provided with an opening, of a lower spring-steel shoe-section, conforming in shape to the upper section, mounted upon the blocks and having boltopenings registering with those of the blocks, and securing-bolts passed through the two sections and blocks, said lower sections being provided with heel and toe calks, substantially as specified.

3. In a horseshoe, the combination, with the upper section having the nail-openings 3 and upon its under surface the superficial opposite and longitudinally-clisposed space-blocks 4, arranged at one side of the central nail-opening and terminating in the lateral bearing branches 5 at the end of the nail-opening, and having a central perforation 8, of the lower steel section 2, agreeing in contour with the upper section, and having the bolt-opening 7, agreeing with the opening 8 of the block, and the upwardly-disposed bolts 9, inserted through the openings 7 and 8, substantially as specified.

4. In a horseshoe, the combination, with an upper section adapted to be secured to the hoof of a horse, of a lower spring-section secured at opposite sides to the upper section, and an interposed bearing-block arranged at each side of the shoe and between the sections and extending for only a portion of the length of the shoe, leaving the heel and toe portions of the lower sections free to vibrate, substantially as specified.

In testimony that I claim the foregoing as my own I have hereto affixed my signature in presence of two witnesses.

LEWIS B. LINN.

\Vitnesses:

MARTIN GRAY, IRVING DEWEY. 

